Hot Creek

Fans of natural hot springs have a nickname for the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains of California the "Mother Lode." That's because there are seven major hot springs gathered in an area about eight miles square, all of which are suitable for soaking. Among them is one called "Hot Creek," which is quite appropriate given its location in the middle of a cold stream, which can only be reached by first braving the icy waters that pour down from Mammoth Creek.

The tremendous geothermal activity here causes scalding water to flow up from the ground and fumaroles to discharge hot gases and vapors. The ground is unstable in places, even to the point of dangerous. However, for those willing and able to make the passage, Hot Creek offers a greeting of warm waves and soothing bubbling, a "soup pot" of sorts, for relaxation that is almost 50 feet across and sometimes quite deep.

Hot Creek is located a few miles outside of the town known as Mammoth Lakes. Follow U.S. Highway 395, and turn east on Hot Creek Hatchery Road toward the local airport. Less than a mile along, there is a sign that reads "Hot Creek Geothermal Area." From there, the road is unpaved for roughly a mile before the parking lot is reached. There are changing rooms and primitive toilets on the premised. Bathing suits are required to enter the thermal waters.